Thieves make off with $2 million from gold museum

Thieves have made off with an estimated $2 million (£1.24 million) in precious gems and gold from a museum in California during a brazen daytime robbery.

The Fricot Nugget, still safe in the California Mining and Minerals MuseumPhoto: ALAMY

9:27PM BST 01 Oct 2012

But they were unsuccessful in getting away with the biggest prize of all - the nearly 14lb Fricot Nugget - a giant crystalline gold mass unearthed in the Gold Rush era.

During their attempt to grab the rock, the robbers triggered an alarm that alerted authorities who swarmed the museum but were unable to apprehend the thieves.

At least two robbers wearing hoods and armed with pickaxes threatened workers during the heist Friday at the California Mining and Minerals Museum in Mariposa, the California Highway Patrol said.. The site is home to more than 13,000 artifacts.

No suspects have been identified.

Authorities said the unique pieces would be easily identified, which could make it difficult for the robbers to sell them.